BUSINESS BRIEFS
Banks to simplify check processing
Advertiser staff
Hawai'i banks next year will begin moving to a new method of digitally processing and clearing checks already in place at many Mainland financial institutions including the Federal Reserve Bank.
The Electronic Check Image Exchange will streamline check processing without having customers change the way they write checks, according to the Hawaii Bankers Association.
The move is a result of the Check Clearing for the 21st Century Act, which became law in October 2004. The law, which affects financial institutions across the country, enables banks to electronically exchange digital images of checks, thereby eliminating the need to physically transport paper checks.
"Check image exchange will eliminate reliance on air and ground transportation, increase security, and improve service for customers and our state," said Gary Fujitani, executive director of the Hawaii Bankers Association.
BEEF, PORK OUTPUT UP; EGGS DOWN
Hawai'i beef and pork production barely rose in August, but egg production fell during the month, according to a monthly livestock report from the National Agricultural Statistics Service.
Ranchers increased beef production in August by 1,000 pounds, or 0.2 percent, to 611,000 pounds. The number of cattle slaughtered was up 3 percent to 4,100 head from a year earlier, and the average weight per animal was up 8 percent.
The results were similar for pig farmers, who increased production last month by 1,000 pounds, or 0.3 percent, to 299,000 pounds over the same month last year. The number of hogs slaughtered fell by 11 percent to 1,700, but the average weight per animal rose 9 percent.
Local farms produced 6.1 million eggs in August, down 10 percent from the same month a year earlier. There was an 11 percent decline in the number of chickens laying eggs, though the rate of egg laying by the poultry rose 0.3 percent.
BUSINESS GROUPS GET FIRST 'REGALERT'
A state regulatory review panel has issued its first "RegAlert" to inform local businesses of a proposed rule change that could negatively affect them.
The state Small Business Regulatory Review Board launched the "RegAlert" program last month in an effort to increase awareness of planned changes to rules and regulations that impact businesses. When a proposed rule change is flagged by the board, an e-mail alert is sent to various business organizations, which then notify their membership.
The board then solicits comments that are forwarded to the proposing agency for review. Based on the comments, the board can request that the governor delay sending the rule change to a public hearing until the concerns have been addressed.
Yesterday, the board sent its first "RegAlert"on a proposed Department of Health rule on smoking in public places. The alert included a link to the rule, although it did not explain why the rule was flagged.
Anyone interested in viewing the proposed rule change can visit hawaii.gov/dbedt/business/start_grow/small-business-info/sbrrb/regalert.
SUBWAY SHOP OPENS AT KAHALA MALL
The Subway sandwich shop chain has opened a new store location at Kahala Mall.
The restaurant is next to the newly expanded site of The Cookie Corner. It is the fifth Subway franchise in Hawai'i for business partners Angus McKibbin and Jim McArthur, founders and owners of The Cookie Corner.
The store features Subway's full menu, which also includes soups and salads, and its own seating area for diners.
